25th Highland Games Sychrov
25th Highland Games Sychrov
22 – 23 August 2025 State Castle Sychrov
Schedule
25th Highland Games Sychrov
25th Highland Games Sychrov
22 – 23 August 2025 State Castle Sychrov
Schedule
25th Highland Games Sychrov
25th Highland Games Sychrov
22 – 23 August 2025 State Castle Sychrov
Schedule
25th Highland Games Sychrov
25th Highland Games Sychrov
22 – 23 August 2025 State Castle Sychrov
Schedule

Programme

Scottish Competition

The traditional Heavy Events competition (see below) takes place at the central axis of the park. This year the competition will be divided into two parts – amateur and professional.

Scottish Dance

The Highland Games wouldn’t be the same without displays and teaching of Scottish Country and Highland Dance, led by the very best Czech and Slovakian dance groups.

The Silver Reed Competition

This year's Highland Games Sychrov will be enriched by another novelty, namely the international competition of Highland Pipers and Drummers - The Silver Reed Competition.

Scotch Whisky

What would Scotland be without whisky? I think the answer is obvious. And it certainly won’t be missing at Sychrov this year! The 24th Sychrov Highland Games will be hosting its 14th Whisky Festival Sychrov, where visitors can taste a range of whiskies.

Scottish and Irish Music

Starting on Saturday morning, the Main Stage will host top Scottish and Irish bands from the Czech Republic and abroad.

A Scottish Speciality

Haggis is the traditional national dish of Scotland, served at Burns’ Suppers (25th January – the birthday of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns), and on St. Andrew’s Day (30th November) – the patron Saint of Scotland.

Children’s Competition

There’s lots to do for our youngest visitors, too!

Golf

Last year saw the third Sychrov Highland Games Golf Demonstration. Together with whisky and the kilt, golf is one of Scotland’s “national treasures” (for those who don’t know, Scotland is generally considered to be the home of golf).

Falconry

The Sychrov Castle Falconry will be open for visitors to see a large variety of birds of prey (including the golden eagle, steppe eagle, eagle owl, snowy owl, long-legged buzzard, red-tailed hawk, etc).

British Classic Cars

One of the fringe events at the 24th Sychrov Highland Games will be the 18th annual meeting of British Classic Car owners, whose shiny beauties will be parked in the Castle grounds.

Living History

A favourite amongst visitors to the Sychrov Highland Games is our “living museum”, which offers insights into the lives of warriors in the distant past, when Celtic tribes occupied the country, up to the 20th century and World War II.

Records

As every year, we will be trying to gain an entry in the Czech Book of Records (published by the Good Day Agency).

Czech National Tartan Association Tent

Last year, in line with other Highland Games events, we opened our first Clan Tents for those who have some connection to one of the Scottish clans.

The Piper on the Tower

The Sychrov Highland Games draw to a close at midnight on Saturday with the traditional playing of the lone piper on the Sychrov Castle Tower.

SCHEDULE

The program of the 25th Highland Games is under preparation…

22 – 23 August 2025

 

25th Highland Games

22 – 23 August 2025

 

 

Friday programme

It takes place outside the Castle in the Court of Honour and is for Scottish Games ticket holders only (these can also be purchased at the door).

  • Opening of the complex

  • Traditional Scottish ceilidh with Alastair and the Caledonian Club

    Alastair Alastair Caledonian Club Caledonian Club

Saturday programme

  • Opening the gates

  • Ian Barrows (Northern Ireland) & Vojtěch Tlustý & Martin Jankovec

  • Dance performance - Glan Clann & Jizerský bodlák

    Glan Clann Glan Clann Jizerský bodlák Jizerský bodlák

  • Vintage Wines

    Vintage Wines

  • Opening ceremony of the 25th Scottish Games

  • Asonance

    Asonance

  • Dance performance - Caledonian Club

    Caledonian Club

  • Isara

    Isara

  • Bagpipe performance - Vienna Pipe Band (Austria)

    Vienna Pipe Band

  • Scottish Fish (USA)

    Scottish Fish

  • Bagpipe performance - The Rebel Pipers

    The Rebel Pipers

  • Opening ceremony of the evening programme, announcement of the results of sports and bagpipe competitions

  • Finlay MacDonald Band (Scotland)

    Finlay MacDonald Band

  • Blue Squadron Pipe Band

    Blue Squadron Pipe Band

  • Ian Barrows (Northern Ireland) & Vojtěch Tlustý & Martin Jankovec

  • Fandango Fireshow - Fire show (Slovakia)

  • Claymore

    Claymore

  • Lonely Piper - bagpiper on the tower

  • Closing of the 25th Scottish Games

Tickets

Advance sale - price 750 CZK - ends on August 18 at 22.00

(Buy here )

Tickets on the spot - 950 CZK (only until sold out)

Ticket for 300 CZK

pre-sale from June 4, 2019 to June 15, 2019
Buy

Ticket for 350 CZK

Presale from June 16, 2019 to July 15, 2019
Buy

Ticket for 400 CZK

pre-sale from 16 July 2019 to 20 August 2019
Buy

Ticket for 490 CZK

ticket price on the spot

 

Children up to 15 years and Blue Badge holders – admission free.
The tickets are valid for the two days program of the 25th Highland Games Sychrov (Friday and Saturday).
Bring your dog free of charge – but please make sure the animal is on a leash and under permanent supervision of its owner. Pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets promptly.

information

Venue

State castle Sychrov
GPS 50.6264, 15.0891


Místo konání na mapě Google Maps        

Accommodation

As in previous years there will be a (paid) camp site for tents available in front of the castle gates. The campsite will be open from Friday afternoon until Sunday afternoon. Accommodation is also available at a number of local guest houses.

Map of Sychrov Castle Park

Questionnaires

The stalls            Bands

Stánkaři        

gallery

Click on the collage to see all Highland Games photographs from 2001 to 2024.

History

Dear participants of the Sychrov Highland Games,

Welcome to the Sychrov Highland Games website. The Sychrov Highland Games transforms the stunning castle park at Sychrov, Turnov, into a bustling centre for Scots and Scotland lovers from the whole Czech Republic and beyond.

Just like the kilt, tartan, whisky and bagpipes, the Highland Games are a central pillar of Scottish history and heritage.

For hundreds of years, Scottish warriors tested their strength and fleetness at the Braemar Games, established by King Malcolm III (Canmore) in the 11th century. The king assessed the strength, fleetness and bravery of his warriors, selecting the best for his closest warriors-in-arms. In the Kingdom of Fife, the Ceres Games have been held more or less regularly since 1314, when King Robert the Bruce gave villagers permission to hold the Games to celebrate his victory at the Battle of Bannockburn. However, the Games were not just for the ruling class: individual clan chiefs and local aristocrats held Highland Games, too. In pretty short order, the Games spread to all corners of Scotland.

Over the centuries, the Games became ever more popular in Scotland. More and more contestants competed and crowds of people came to watch. However, the centuries old tradition came to an abrupt end in 1746. The Scots were defeated at Culloden in 1745, which spelt the end of the entire Scottish uprising against English domination, resulting in the 1746 Act of Proscription which banned the wearing of the kilt, the use of tartan, and whole range of other prohibitions which quickly wiped out the ancient Scottish heritage, including the Highland Games. The Act was abolished in 1782, and the Games started to be held again. Their popularity rocketed, demonstrated in 1822 by a royal visit from King George IV.

Today the Highland Games are a world-wide phenomenon, with competitions in the USA, Canada, Australia, Belgium and other countries, as well as in the United Kingdom. The emphasis, however, has changed. The Games are no longer a showground for warriors, but a social event with sporting challenges, live music and dance with participants coming from the local area as well as from far-flung corners of the globe. The 2001 Sychrov Highland Games endeavoured to tap into this ancient tradition and for the first time in Eastern Europe we organised a traditional Games on a similarly wide scale for the general public.

I organised my first Highland Games in 1999 as a private event for friends. Little did I know the impact that would have just two years later. Thanks to excellent cooperation with Sychrov Castle management, I ventured to acquaint the pubic with the culture and history of Scotland. Judging by the thousands of visitors we see year on year, the participation of amateur and professional sportsmen and women from the Czech Republic and abroad (eg the Czech Olympians Lukáš Melich, Tomáš Staňěk, Eliška Klučinová and others, and one of the most successful Highland Games competitors Ladislav Tuláček), media interest (Czech and foreign) and positive feedback from spectators, it would seem it has been a success.

I owe a huge debt of thanks to my wonderful colleagues and friends, without whose dedicated assistance this festival simply would not happen. I sincerely hope the 24th Sychrov Highland Games will bring you enjoyment, fun and, above all, happiness.

I look forward to meeting you!

Václav Rout,

Founder and main organiser

Press

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Highland Games logo – PNG CDR PDF

22nd Highland Games: Poster (JPG)

Print quality photographs

2020 Highland Games: Final

Press Accreditation is available to those media representatives who regularly write about the Highland Games. Applications for Press Accreditation may be made in writing only and sent by e-mail to kilt@seznam.cz by 12th August, 2024. Applying for Press Accreditation does not automatically confer accreditation on the sender. Confirmation of Press Accreditation shall be sent to successful applicants by e-mail.

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